GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Five days before his estranged wife is alleged to have fatally stabbed him with a steak knife during an argument, Bertram Nathaniel Lee was released from probation after he pleaded guilty to attempted domestic violence against his wife, Ynes Danyelle Lee.

The couple's 15-year marriage includes at least three convictions of domestic violence against the late 52-year-old man - dating back to October of 2000 and September of 2003 - and led to a divorce petition taken out by his wife in May of 2011.

“My spouse, Bertram N. Lee been (violent) to me, on and off, for the last 12 years,” Ynes Lee wrote when she swore out a personal protection order against her husband on May 24, 2011. “He has been calling me at home and at work. Text message that I have saved, also voice mail I also saved tell me he want me and him dead.”

Part of the terms of Bertram Lee’s probation was a “no contact” order with his wife that expired Aug. 12, according to court files.

That latest domestic violence charge stemmed from an April 17, 2011 assault. The two were arguing at the Woodfield Drive apartment when things turned violent and Bertram Lee slammed Ynes Lee's hand in a closet door, then took the phone from her as she tried to call police, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Kent County sheriff’s Detective Martin Albert.

Ynes Danyelle LeeCourtesy Photo

Bertram Lee was charged with domestic violence and interfering with communications, but ended up pleading to attempted domestic violence. He was placed on two years of probation by Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston.

Although Ynes Lee filed for divorce in May of 2011, the case was dismissed by the court in November of that year after neither party showed up for hearings and arbitration appointments.

Ynes Lee, whose last name was Abernathy until her marriage in October of 1998, lived at the apartment and worked at Family Fare. Bertram listed his address as living with his mother in the 1300 block of Leonard Street NE, according to court records.

Ynes Lee wrote in court files that she had no children resulting from the marriage, but her husband was listed as a father of five and was previously married.

If convicted, Ynes Lee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. She is being charged as a habitual offender due to a 1988 conviction for attempted first-degree retail fraud.